Bill Increases Information Sharing Between First Responders and Feds

The U.S. House of Representatives today passed Congressman Don Bacon’s (NE-02) first bill of the 116^th Congress, H.R. 504, the DHS (Department of Homeland Security) Field Engagement Accountability Act. The bill will help bolster the crucial partnership between DHS and the national fusion center network that works to keep Americans safe. After passing four bills last Congress, this is Rep. Bacon’s first bill of the 116^th Congress, and it was passed in the first month of the session.

“The critical partnership between DHS and fusion centers across the country cannot be understated,” said Rep. Bacon. “When there isn’t a second to spare, information sharing and coordination between our country’s first responders and the federal government may help save lives. I am thankful the House passed this legislation, and I will not stop working until it reaches the President’s desk.”

The DHS Field Engagement Accountability Act:

• Provides for additional training and technology improvements for the information sharing systems the Department of Homeland Security makes available to fusion centers and other law enforcement agencies.
• Requires an agency-wide DHS engagement strategy for support to state run fusion centers that they need to protect the Homeland.
• Mandates the creation of performance metrics to hold DHS field personnel accountable to ensure a greater level of transparency and stronger partnership are achieved.